
"I have fought a good fight, I
have finished my course, I have kept
the faith: henceforth there is laid
up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day: and not to
me only, but unto all them also that
love his appearing." 2 Tim. 4:7, 8.
For at least 30 years Paul had been
laboring as Christ's tireless ambas-
sador,
but when he wrote these
lines, his days were numbered. He
knew not whether Timothy would
arrive before his execution. He
spoke as a dying man would to his
son. His solemn words are pro-
foundly stirring.
Although Paul said nothing new
in this last chapter of Second Tim-
othy, the fact that the shadow of the
sword hung over his head gives spe-
cial importance to what he chose
to say. He summed up his career in
these few words—a dying man
doesn't waste his words. How in-
tently Timothy must have read them
with tearful eyes and trembling
hands.
What was said to Timothy would
apply to every Christian down
through the years until Jesus comes.
Although the ordained minister
should take special heed to Paul's
incisive commands, no church mem-
ber can avoid his own measure of
responsibility. Paul talks to everyone
who wants to finish his life with the
confidence that they too have
"fought a good fight, ... finished
my course, ... kept the faith."
The chapter seems to be divided
into three parts: (1) Keep your eye
on the coming of the Lord if you
want to keep perspective and have
reason to hope; (2) keep your eye
on what is going on around you so
that you are not deceived or dis-
heartened by timeservers and jeal-
ous competitors; (3) keep your eye
on the Lord who will never desert
you and will always provide the
strength necessary.
Paul had a great opportunity to
think of himself and his predicament
as he penned these words. After all,
Paul was on trial for his life. He had
labored incessantly for untold thou-
sands; he had stored up no material
security for his old-age convenience.
But now, when he needed his
friends, where were they? They had
left him, and not always for the best
of reasons. Paul had reason to think
of himself now; a show of self-pity
would have been easily understood.
But instead of pleading his case, he
continued to plead the cause of Jesus
Christ. He asked only that Timothy
go and do likewise. Problems Tim-
othy would face. How well Paul
knew! But the gospel was more im-
portant than a person's comfort and
convenience. In summary Paul is
saying, "God has been with me and
strengthened me and has never
failed me—now, Timothy, the same
Lord be with you; grace be with
you." See verse 22.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Preach the Word, 2 Tim. 4:1, 2
2.
Teach the Truth, 2 Tim. 4:3-5
3.
Keeping the Faith-1, 2 Tim.
4:5-7
4.
Keeping the Faith-2, 2 Tim. 4:7
5.
Love His Appearing, 2 Tim. 4:8
6.
The Lord Gave Me Strength,
2 Tim. 4:17, 18